Peace

Tracks

1. 01With a Start3:35Apple MusicYouTubeFantom-X8V-SynthSoft synthsLap dulcimer

   The melody came in jolts and starts, hence the title. It's an upbeat, piano-centric piece in a strict A, B, A′, C, A, B, A′ form. I grew so fond of the main melody that I had to write the C section just to break the monotony. The instrumentation includes a real strummed dulcimer, sampled South African choral backing, sampled traditional drums, a synth pad, synthetic harp and, of course, piano.

2. 02Moving On3:32Apple MusicYouTubeFantom-X8JV-2080V-SynthVC-2 Vocal Designer cardSoft synths

   An upbeat, New Age-like, piano-centric piece with full instrumentation. The major key and moderate tempo are meant to inspire optimism: to help you move past whatever is bringing you down. To move on.

3. 03Unconditional5:10Apple MusicYouTubeFantom-X8V-SynthSoft synths

   While putting this together I kept thinking of unconditional acceptance, love and kindness: the things we do for those closest to us, and they for us, without question.

4. 04Dreamalog4:57Apple MusicYouTubeFantom-X8V-SynthVC-1 D-50 cardSoft synths

   Began by accident, as most of my compositions do. I was auditioning analog synth patches in GarageBand, found the Moonbeam patch and stumbled on a sequence of notes I liked. Later I moved it into Logic Express to use my external synths. It reminds me of a dream montage in an '80s movie, and the sounds are mostly analog-style synths (Logic's soft synths, the V-Synth and the Fantom-X). So the cheesy name came to be.

5. 05Dulcimusic2:14Apple MusicYouTubeFantom-X8Lap dulcimer

   A completely improvised piece that started with experiments on my newly acquired dulcimer. I picked the best of several dulcimer takes, then recorded a continuous piano performance to go with it. Both were played without cuts.

6. 06Persistence of Time (2011)4:03Apple MusicYouTubeFantom-X8JV-2080Soft synthsCarvin DC135C

   A complete re-recording of the original from Imagine!, with better instrumentation (including a real electric guitar) and no percussion, making it more meditative, as originally intended.

7. 07From Without4:50Apple MusicYouTubeFantom-X8

   Like many of my compositions, written while reflecting on loneliness, but also on gratitude for what I do have. The title refers to feelings "from (being) without" companionship and, secondarily, to behaviors read "from without" rather than from within. A reflective, melodic piano piece with lush synth backing and light harp accents.

8. 08Down Again (2010)2:36Apple MusicYouTubeFantom-X8Soft synths

   A re-recording of the original from the Nathan Sheldon album, with more believable piano and strings.

9. 09The Wish (2010)1:54Apple MusicYouTubeFantom-X8Esteban AL-100

   Disappointed with the original on Imagine!, I gave this short melodic piano piece updated instrumentation, including a realistic piano and real acoustic guitar.

10. 10Altered Currents3:34Apple MusicYouTubeFantom-X8Soft synthsEsteban AL-100

    A slower, melodic, piano-centric song in a major key. Positive but laid-back, with a little syncopated rhythm guitar to keep the current moving.

11. 11Passage3:09Apple MusicYouTubeFantom-X8V-Synth

    The passage of time. The passage of opportunity. A passage of inspirational text. The passage from a secluded atrium to the crowded streets. This free-tempo, contemplative, improvised piano piece tries to embody these and many other passages.

12. 12Peace8:32Apple MusicYouTubeFantom-X8Soft-synth percussionClassical guitar

    At a friend's suggestion, a Veda-inspired meditative piece. At eight and a half minutes it's long, slow and low-energy, with plenty of reverb for a feeling of space. The melody is simple; the form, not quite formulaic. Nylon guitar, fretless bass, ethnic percussion and synth pads round it out.